Chonnam National University

Chonnam National University (CNU) is a premier flagship national university in the Republic of Korea, primarily serving the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do. Established in 1952 under the motto “Truth, Creativity, and Service,” the university was formed through the merger of five provincial colleges. This unification was designed to provide a comprehensive academic foundation for the nation’s post-war recovery.

In 2006, CNU underwent a significant expansion by merging with Yosu National University. This move established a specialized multi-campus system that allows the university to effectively integrate academic research with regional industry needs:

• Gwangju Campus: The central hub for administrative operations, humanities, social sciences, and advanced engineering, with a strong focus on AI-driven convergent learning.
• Yeosu Campus: A maritime and petrochemical hub, specialized in fisheries and engineering, training experts in smart aquaculture, maritime law enforcement, and chemical engineering.
• Hwasun Campus: Home to the medical complex and Chonnam National University Hospital, it serves as a center for biotechnology and clinical research.

CNU serves as a critical R&D engine for South Korea’s national strategic industries, spearheading breakthroughs in future mobility, secondary batteries, semiconductors, and bio-health. These efforts directly bolster the nation’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness. The university’s excellence is further defined by its strategic industry-academia partnerships across core sectors, including energy systems, future mobility, and petrochemicals. This ecosystem provides students with high-level research opportunities and robust career pathways within world-class industrial clusters.

Supported by a global network of over 500 partner universities in 60 countries, CNU offers a borderless academic environment. Hosting over 2,000 international students, the university continues to expand its global footprint through international collaborative research and diverse exchange programs, preparing the next generation of global leaders.

CNU holds a unique position in Korean history as a symbol of democracy. Its students and faculty were at the forefront of the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, a pivotal struggle for justice and civil rights. The global resonance of this legacy was powerfully reaffirmed when Han Kang — a Gwangju-born novelist — was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. Her landmark novel, Human Acts, bears witness to the very spirit of resistance and humanity that defines this city and university. This enduring legacy continues to shape CNU's institutional culture, fostering a deep commitment to social responsibility, ethical leadership, and the cultivation of global citizens who value democratic principles.